how do you define a "fanboy"?

[Zantos]

Oh come now... none of you have ever made a [a href=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Squee]squee[/a] noise before? I sure as hell know I have. To me that's what marks a fanboy/girl, not the aggressiveness. LittleBigPlanet trailer? I squee at that. New Patapon game? Effin' squee. N: The Way of the Ninja V1.5 announced? Mega-squee. Sure, I don't like it when someone just says "That game sucks" but it's not like I believe they're absolutely perfect.

I have been known to squee, but I then rip my shirt off and punch a bear to the ground to re-assert my manliness.

The word fanboy is incredibly context sensitive on whether it's referring to this type of fanboy or referring to the aggressive and generally unpleasant sort. Ah context, something that gets lost so easily on the internet.

 

[Zero_ctrl]

A person, usually a slave of sorts, who waves a leave or fan (see name) in order to cool their master.
What?

 

[BoredDragon]

I think that someone really liking a show/movie/book doesn't qualify them as a fanboy.

It's when they stop using logic and start denying rational counter-points about the show/movie/book is when they crossover into fanboyism.

*everyone looks at my avatar, then back at me*

don't give me that look, I pride myself on being one of the sensible bronies

 

[Naeo]

When someone more or less categorically rejects opposing viewpoints using whatever justification they choose to, I consider them a fanboy. Oftentimes screaming, using exclusively ad hominem arguments in response to semi-actual points, and being a whiny crybaby are additional qualifiers, but the first one listed is the underlying one as far as I can see.

 

[BishopofAges]

Personally I made a scale to rate and avoid fanboy types.

Calm fanboy - Someone who has epic fandom of something and knows (mostly) how to keep it under control/

Talkitive fanboy - one step up, loves to watch, listen, speak of, and show off his fandom, but not in excessive ways, could be a useful source of stuff if you have the same fandom.

Agressive or rabid fanboy - +1 step from before, when a discussion is put up about his fandom he will agressively try to show off his prowess of the fandom and even commit flame wars to those who disagree. Not a fun guy to talk to on this subject.

Final level of the so far observations includes traits from all three previous and more

The 'No Friends' fanboy - A person who obsessively loves their fandom to large extents. Usually purchases a lot of swag of the fandom, will bring up his fandom without even a hint of warning in the conversation, and will do anything to 'Win' arguements, short of murder (I hope.)

I feel I have enough patience to be around aggressive fanboys, but I can always make real friends from talkitive and calm fanboys.

 

[robotam]

A person with rotating blades that causes a cool airflow.
Oh wrong fan.

 

[Snotnarok]

As Aidinthel said, unable to accept any form of critism for any game as it is perfect because it's a [blank] game made by [blank] company.

My cousin is a nintendo fanboy, absolutely will never admit they've done wrong. I myself happen to love Metroid titles and don't care about companies, when Other: M came out I was so mad how bad it was. My cousin however? Thought it was perfectly okay and that every scene made total sense...ooooh boy.

Edit: I'm okay with him liking what he likes, however there's scenes in there that do absolutely make no sense. Samus cowering to a boss she's killed 5 times already? Not equipping armor just because she didnt get orders to? While she's FRYING without it? These made sense to him, I don't see how.

 

[gabe12301]

A person with rotating blades that causes a cool airflow.

....My god you're right! I need to edit every post I've ever made regarding fanboys now.

 

[Dfskelleton]

When they go into a paranoid state in which if anyone gives their precious [insert game here], then they will strike down upon them with a hammer of stupid insults and horrible grammar.

 

[Grant Hobba]

Anyone who refuses to accept that their whatever is less than perfect and militantly opposing anyone with a differing opinion.

You forgot the using insults as an argument part ^.^

 

[Instant K4rma]

Ask me about Bethesda.

My response basically defines a fanboy.

[sub]I have no shame.[/sub]

 

[PunkRex]

When they are unwilling to listen to any criticism about their thing and rage at anyone who says anything remotely negative.

And algebraic captcha sounds hilarious.

Basically this, you'll never improve if you refuse to take critisism. If anything Fanboys/girls hold stuff back.

E.g. I like Supernatural... but the damn fangirls wont let it die with dignity!!!

...but Escapist I no speak Hibrew /)^3^(\

 

[owbu]

I do not use this word, because on the internet its simply used as the easy way out to invalid an opinion without having to reply to his arguments or state arguments for your opinion yourself.

As soon as you like something and someone else doesnt, your a fanboy and thereby have no rights to continue the discussion
Its the same with "elitist"/"bad" stuff. If you like a challenge, you must be an elitist who wants to deprive other normal people from their fun and all you have said about difficulty levels can thereby be ignored.

Oh and then there is "shut up your just a vocal minority!"

But to answer your question: A fanboy is someone, who isnt tolerating other opinions on a certain subject and is completly blind to arguments against his object of desire.